All those points are true. In fact, for every positive – of which there were many – there was a negative which detracted from an otherwise decent display.

1. The attack was all we had hoped…
From Sterling’s first-half vibrancy and Danny Welbeck’s industry to Daniel Sturridge’s cute finish, England’s front three – inexperienced at this exalted level – impressed greatly. Sterling was less effective as the game wore on but it’d be daft now not to unleash him again on Uruguay. Wayne Rooney disappointed, although he did set up the goal. However, the biggest plus was that, for once, players looked like they wanted the ball. The only downside was a lack of joined-up thinking and composure in the box.

2. …but the defence was all we had feared
The back four, sadly, picks itself and we know its limitations. The midfield didn’t help, chasing but not closing down effectively, and the defence bore all the hallmarks of previous England sides – timid and fearful. Italy exploited Leighton Baines’ poor positional sense, exacerbated by Rooney’s lack of support, but while Ashley Cole’s experience may have come in handy, let’s not romanticise players left behind – Atletico Madrid tore Chelsea apart down Cole’s side in the Champions League semi-final, second leg.

Andrea Pirlo was often one step ahead of his English opponents (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Italy are simply a better sideAndrea Pirlo was magical once again, but with England attempting to restrict Italy through the middle, the outstanding Antonio Candreva and Matteo Darmian were given the freedom of the right-hand side to load the bullets that eventually won the game. Simple truth is, we don’t have a midfielder of Pirlo’s craft, a winger of Candreva’s incisiveness or a forward as predatory as match-winner Mario Balotelli – but this is an Italian side that could go deep in this tournament and England, for the most part, stood up to the task.

4. The locals don’t like usUsually at major tournaments, England feel at home with St George cross flags flying and God Save The Queen belted out noisily around the stands. But Hodgson’s less than complimentary comments about Manaus – made before England were drawn to play there – has not been forgotten. Italy were the clear neutrals’ choice inside the stadium, the loudest catcalls reserved for Rooney’s dreadful corner.

5. We CAN reach the quarter-finalsEngland were in this position in Mexico ’86, losing their opening game to Portugal, and at Euro 2004, where they were beaten by France. On both occasions they emerged through the group – and if we play to our potential, we can do likewise by beating both Uruguay and Costa Rica. Should we do that, we need not fear our second round opponents, likely Colombia or Ivory Coast, either. After that though, we’d be up against it – but reaching the last eight would be a great effort for this side.